Reviews:

The Front Page, starring John Slattery, John Goodman and Nathan Lane, had its Broadway opening last week. To honor the era of the play, producer Scott Rudin required that critics attend the official opening night performance and submit their reviews for publication the next day, rather than submitting a pre-written review of a preview performance, as is the custom today. The critics were less than kind to the star-heavy revival – most preferring the appearance of Broadway legend Nathan Lane in his scene-stealing performance late in the play – New York Daily News: “The only thing wrong with Lane’s performance, which comes with his signature shtick, is that he doesn’t arrive earlier. [The] production is handsomely gritty and well-dressed, but only really catches fire in the third act.” But Time Out NY was all-in with its raves for the production as a whole: “The 5,000-volt revival…whipped into a hellacious comic frenzy by one of the best acting ensembles you and I may ever see….brutally brilliant.” To read more review excerpts, and to purchase discount tickets, click here.

News and Notes:

Donna Murphy to Play Matchmaker Once a Week

The upcoming Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly! will welcome two-time Tony winner Donna Murphy (Passion, The King and I) to the company beginning 6/13/17. According to production spokespeople, Murphy will play Dolly Gallagher Levi on Tuesday evenings, and will also take over the role during the vacations of headlining star Bette Midler. For more on this casting announcement, click here.

2017 Tony Awards Committee Meets for First Time

The Tony Awards Administration Committee met on 10/13 for the first time this season and confirmed the eligibility of two Broadway productions, Cats and Paramour, for the 2017 Tony Awards. Additionally, the Committee determined that the newly renovated Hudson Theatre will be deemed a Tony eligible theater, beginning in the 2016-2017 season. The official eligibility cut-off date will be 4/27/17 for all Broadway productions opening this season. The 71st Annual Tony Awards will air on CBS 6/11/17. Click here to see more results of the meeting.

24 Year Old Conductor Makes Broadway History

Madeline Smith made her Broadway debut last week conducting the Broadway production of Waitress. At age 24 she is believed to be the youngest woman to conduct in a Broadway pit. Smith has served as rehearsal pianist, music assistant, and copyist on the production. She also serves as music assistant on the Broadway-bound production of Disney’s Frozen. Click here for more on this story.

Burn This Broadway Revival Postponed

Producers announced late last week that they are postponing the Broadway revival of Landord Wilson’s Burn This, due to what they termed ”scheduling conflicts” with the show’s star, Jake Gyllenhaal. The show had been scheduled for March 2017 at the newly renovated Hudson Theatre, but is now aiming for its Broadway bow during the 2017-2018 season. Owners of the Hudson issued a statement saying that although they are disappointed to hear that Burn This will not be proceeding, they will soon announce a new production to relight the theatre in 2017. For more on this announcement, click here.